Simon Cochrane
I'm Simon Cochrane. An endurance athlete and coach who is currently based in Hamilton, NZ. I have raced almost 40 Ironman events and more recently have been targeting some longer races like Ultraman, and 100mile + 24hr running races.
What are you training for right now, and what does your normal week look like?
I am starting to build up my training volume for Ultraman NZ which is in Wanaka December 2026. It involves 3 days of racing across Swim, Bike and Run. 10km open water swim, 420km cycling, and an 84.4km double marathon. My focus with the swim at the moment is to build the volume in the pool, and also get some exposure in the colder open water to prepare for Lake Wanaka!
Current weekly training volumes are around 3-4 swims (10-15km), 4-5 bikes (300km), 4-5 runs (90km).
What is your favourite open water spot to swim in?
My favourite open water swim spot near home would be in the ocean in the Coromandel, but its hard to beat a nice flat lake on a summer's morning!
In a race, what goes through your head in the last few mins before you get in the water?
Pre race, I like to focus on what I will be doing for the first 5mins of the swim. Making sure I go out hard enough, but also that I get the pacing right so I can settle into a good rhythm.
What is something people may not know about you?
I never swam as a kid, so I had to pick up swimming in my mid 20's. I managed to progress my swimming by joining a competitive school squad for 5 years. Committing to 5-6 x 2hr swims a week made all the difference!
Why Ruby Fresh wetsuits?
From my initial chats with the founder, Eddie, he was so helpful in selecting the right suit and size for me, and he has a wealth of knowledge regarding cold freshwater swimming. The Ruby Fresh wetsuit is so comfortable and warm, which are two of the most important features when you are swimming 10km!
Where can people support and follow you?
The main place I am active on social media is on Instagram
My contacts on IG: @cochranesimon and @athletic.peak
Can also check out athleticpeak.co.nz
Natasha Bowyer
I am a kiwi triathlete that splits my time between Auckland and Wanaka during the New Zealand summer and Girona, Spain for the European summer!
I have been swimming since I was born and have spent plenty of time near the water my whole life!
I have had a number of set backs including a traumatic brain injury that has disrupted my racing and life in a big way the past few years.
But I am as motivated as ever to make progress and I race short course triathlon currently for a French and German league team and am working on trying to move up to the World Triathlon World Cup Circuit.
What are you training for next, and what does a normal week look like right now?
I have a few European races coming up over the next few months. Some are World Triathlon Conti Cups and some the league races.
A typical week for me in a training block is around 20 hours with my bigger weeks being closer to 25hrs. During race weeks my volume drops a lot!
What’s your favourite open water spot you like to swim in?
Lake Hawea, New Zealand! Scott’s Beach is a special spot when it is dead calm and sunny with no wind!
Why Ruby fresh wetsuits?
I had struggled with a previous wetsuit brand’s new model not fitting that well and making it hard to breathe in the water.
When I tried a Ruby suit for the first time it was so nice to wear and fitted me perfectly. It is also easy to get off which is important for triathlon racing (especially short course!).
In a race, what goes through your head in the last few minutes before you get in the water?
Usually I am thinking a bit about what it took to get to the start line and trying to remind myself to enjoy it - while trying to control the pre start nervous excitement!
What is something people may not know about you?
I love the High School Musical soundtrack. Usually have it going on repeat when I am training.
Where can people follow you and support you?
Instagram: @coachtash.tri @natashabowyer
Elias Broome
I'm Elias Broome, a 23-year-old working full time & triathlete based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Although I'm relatively new to the sport, having only started competing in triathlons at the end of 2024, I've quickly developed a passion for endurance racing and the challenge of constantly improving.
What began as a personal challenge has grown into a serious pursuit, with my long-term goal being to qualify for and compete at the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga in 2027. Every race, training session and setback is an opportunity to learn, grow and move one step closer to that goal. To achieve this goal I am training as much as I can whilst still balancing full time work/other commitments.
Living on the Sunshine Coast provides an incredible environment to train year-round. I'm grateful to be surrounded by a community that shares a love for that same profession, adventure and endurance sport which helps to keep me focused in and around races and training.
I'm proud to partner with Ruby Fresh, a New Zealand wetsuit company whose commitment to quality, performance and innovation aligns perfectly with my approach to training and racing. Their support allows me to pursue my goals with confidence, and I'm excited to represent the Ruby Fresh brand as I continue to grow within the sport and chase my ambitions on the world stage.
Follow my journey on Instagram @broomeelias
Nevaeh Reddy
Kia ora! My name is Nevaeh and I'm a keen open water swimmer, endurance runner, and gym goer. I live in the beautiful town of Cromwell in Central Otago.
What are you training for next, and what does a normal week look like right now?
The next open water event I'm training for is The Ruby Island Swim 10km. At the moment my training is very running focused for some up and coming events but I'm building into my swimming!!
What’s your favourite open water spot you like to swim in?
I absolutely love swimming around Ruby Island, that's the home of my first ever open water race so it holds a special place for me.
In a race, what goes through your head in the last few minutes before you get in the water?
Honestly nothing! Open water swimming is such a mind clearer for me, I just get in and do it.
What is something people may not know about you?
The first year I did The Ruby (the 1.2km), before the race I'd never actually swum in the lake before!
Why Ruby Fresh wetsuits?
I've been using my Ruby suit for 5 years now, the quality is unmatched and they are comfortable and competitive suits that stand out in the water! And it's great to support a local company
Where can our readers follow you and support you?
You can follow me on Instagram: @nevaehreddy and @reddy2_trainnz
Ray Boardman
I am Coach Ray. I'm based in Hokitika on the sunny West Coast of NZ. I coach triathletes and runners all around the world. I specialise in coaching beginner and recreational athletes. I'm no longer as competitive as I used to be and enjoy doing low key events like my local triathlon, as well as events such as Challenge Wanaka.
What are you training for next, and what does a normal week look like right now?
I'm currently torn between preparing for the Challenge Wanaka duathlon and trying to get some speed back into my running legs chasing a faster parkrun. My local pool is currently closed and I'm not doing much swimming at the moment.
What’s your favourite open water spot you like to swim in?
I've got a couple of favourite openwater swim spots. I can't go past my local - Lake Kaniere, crystal clear water, pristine bush right down to the edge of the lake. But also really enjoy swimming in Lake Taupo when I get up there, and also Scorching Bay in Wellington is a great venue (and of course Lake Wanaka too 😃).
In a race, what goes through your head in the last few minutes before you get in the water?
One of two things... On a good day I'm running through my race or pacing plan, reiterating key words... On a bad day negative thoughts creep in: have I done enough, it's too cold etc...
What is something people may not know about you?
I've been coaching professionally since the year 2000 when I first set up my business. Back then I faxed training plans to athletes who didn't have an email account.
Why Ruby Fresh wetsuits?
I love supporting Kiwi businesses, but I'm not interested in supporting them if they don't make quality products. Ruby Fresh go out of their way to make quality products, but quality products that fit exceptionally well. Their wetsuits fit my body type (I'm not as competitive as I used to be), and also the body type of the beginner and recreational athletes that I coach.
Where can people follow you and contact you?
My website www.CoachRay.nz is where I publish a weekly swim session every Saturday morning at 9am but regularly post content on socials:
IG: @coach_ray_nz
FB: Coach Ray / Qwik Kiwi Coaching
The best link to go straight to the swim sessions is HERE
Rachel Geller
I live in Wānaka, originally from Wellington, and have been involved in water sports for as long as I can remember. I grew up as a competitive swimmer and also competed in water polo and surf life saving, so being in the water has been a huge part of my life. These days, I'm hooked on open water swimming and love the longer-distance events.
What are you training for next, and what does a normal week look like right now?
I'm currently training for the Ruby 10km swim and the Motutapu full marathon. I've just started my summer training, so over the next few months my focus will be building my swimming and running fitness with some gym strength training.
What’s your favourite open water spot you like to swim in?
Around Ruby Island, it's such a novelty. There's something pretty special about swimming around the island with the mountains all around you. The best way to start a summer's day!
In a race, what goes through your head in the last few minutes before you get in the water?
I usually visualise my race and run through my game plan. I love having a goal and putting pressure on myself to perform, so I'm usually pretty focused on what I need to achieve. Once I'm in, I settle into a rhythm, trust the training I've done and enjoy it.
What is something people may not know about you?
I held national titles across three different sports at one time... back when I was 16. Swimming (800m free), surf life saving (women's open long and short course canoe), and football (secondary school nationals)
Why Ruby Fresh wetsuits?
Because why would you not?? Ruby Fresh wetsuits are a game changer. A lot of thought has gone into the design, not just making a wetsuit that looks good, but making one that actually performs. They are super comfortable and fit like a glove, I like the extra buoyancy for the lakewater, and they're designed by the GOAT.
Where can people follow you and support you?
Instagram - @rach_geller06